Hypodermic Interface Assembly

ABSTRACT

A hypodermic interface assembly is disclosed. The hypodermic interface assembly includes a hub, a cannula, and a cannula carrier. The cannula carrier is non-removably-connected to the cannula. The cannula carrier is controllably separable from the hub.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The disclosure relates generally to hypodermic interface assemblies.

BACKGROUND

This section provides background information related to the presentdisclosure and is not necessarily prior art.

While known hypodermic interface assemblies have proven to be acceptablefor various applications, such hypodermic interface assemblies arenevertheless susceptible to improvements that may enhance their overallperformance and cost. Therefore, a need exists to develop hypodermicinterface assemblies that advance the art.

SUMMARY

This section provides a general summary of the disclosure, and is not acomprehensive disclosure of its full scope or all of its features.

In one aspect, the invention provides a hypodermic interface assemblywhich may include a hub; a cannula; and a cannula carrier, wherein thecannula carrier is non-removably connected to the cannula, and thecannula carrier is controllably separable from the hub. In a furtherembodiment, the hypodermic interface assembly also may include anadhesive connecting the cannula to the cannula carrier. In yet anotherembodiment of the hypodermic interface assembly, the cannula carrier mayinclude an adhesive-depositing passage, and the adhesive may bedeposited into the adhesive-depositing passage of the cannula carrier.

In one embodiment of the hypodermic interface assembly of the presentinvention, the cannula carrier may include at least one leg portion;further, the at least one leg portion of the cannula carrier may includea barb portion, and the hub may include a groove that is sized toreceive the barb portion of the at least one leg portion.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the cannula of the hypodermicinterface assembly may be disposed within a hub passage extendingthrough the hub and a cannula carrier passage extending through thecannula carrier. In another embodiment, an outer surface of the cannulamay be secured to an inner surface that defines the hub passage.

In another aspect of the hypodermic interface assembly, a first portionof an outer surface of the cannula may be arranged in a spaced-apartrelationship with respect to a first inner surface portion that definesa first cannula carrier passage portion of the cannula carrier passageof the cannula carrier, and a second portion of the outer surface of thecannula may be disposed adjacent a second inner surface portion thatdefines a second cannula carrier passage portion of the cannula carrierpassage of the cannula carrier for fluidly-sealing the second cannulacarrier passage portion of the cannula carrier passage of the cannulacarrier. Further, the cannula carrier may include a head portion definedby a body and at least one leg portion.

In another aspect, the invention provides a hypodermic interfaceassembly including (a) a first hypodermic interface assembly portionthat is defined by a hub; and (b) a second hypodermic interface assemblyportion that is separably-connected to the first hypodermic interfaceassembly portion, wherein the second hypodermic interface assemblyportion is defined by (i) a cannula and (ii) a cannula carriernon-removably-connected to the cannula, wherein the cannula carrier iscontrollably separable from the hub. The hypodermic interface assemblymay further include an adhesive connecting the cannula to the cannulacarrier. In yet another aspect, the cannula carrier may include anadhesive-depositing passage, and the adhesive may be deposited into theadhesive-depositing passage of the cannula carrier.

In another embodiment of the hypodermic interface assembly of thepresent invention, the cannula carrier may include at least one legportion. Further, the at least one leg portion of the cannula carriermay include a barb portion, and the hub may include a groove that issized to receive the barb portion of the at least one leg portion.

In yet another embodiment, the cannula of the hypodermic interfaceassembly may be disposed within a hub passage extending through the huband a cannula carrier passage extending through the cannula carrier.Further, an outer surface of the cannula may be secured to an innersurface that defines the hub passage.

In an further embodiment of the hypodermic interface assembly, a firstportion of an outer surface of the cannula may be arranged in aspaced-apart relationship with respect to a first inner surface portionthat defines a first cannula carrier passage portion of the cannulacarrier passage of the cannula carrier, and a second portion of theouter surface of the cannula may be disposed adjacent a second innersurface portion that defines a second cannula carrier passage portion ofthe cannula carrier passage of the cannula carrier for fluidly-sealingthe second cannula carrier passage portion of the cannula carrierpassage of the cannula carrier. Further, the cannula carrier may includea head portion defined by a body and at least one leg portion.

A further embodiment of the invention is a method including (a)providing a cannula carrier, a cannula, and a hub; (b) non-separablyjoining the cannula carrier to the cannula; and (c) joining the cannulacarrier to the hub, wherein the cannula carrier is controllablyseparable from the hub. The method also may include separably joiningthe hub to an injection gun, and inserting the cannula into the flesh ofa subject. Additional method steps may include subjecting one or both ofthe cannula and the cannula carrier to one or more radial forcesrelative to a central axis extending through the cannula and the cannulacarrier for mechanically-separating the cannula carrier from the hubwhereby (i) the hub remains separably joined to the injection gun, (ii)the cannula is removably disposed within the flesh of the subject, and(iii) the cannula carrier is disposed adjacent an outer surface of theflesh of the subject.

In another embodiment, the inventive method may include locating thecannula carrier that is disposed adjacent the outer surface of the fleshof the subject; grasping the cannula carrier; and applying a force tothe cannula carrier to remove the cannula from the flesh of the subject.A further method step may include separating the hub from the injectiongun. Additionally, the cannula carrier may include a high visibility dyeor pigment. In another embodiment, the subjecting step may result insplaying one or more leg portions of the cannula carrier.

The details of one or more implementations of the disclosure are setforth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Otheraspects, features, and advantages will be apparent from the descriptionand drawings, and from the claims.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The drawings described herein are for illustrative purposes only ofselected configurations and not all possible implementations, and arenot intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of an exemplary hypodermicinterface assembly.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an exemplary cannula of the hypodermicinterface assembly of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of an exemplary hub of the hypodermicinterface assembly of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a rear perspective view of the hub of FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is another front perspective view of the hub of FIG. 2.

FIG. 6 is a side view of the hub of FIG. 2.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the hub according to line 7-7 ofFIG. 6.

FIG. 8A is another side view of the hub of FIG. 2.

FIG. 8B is a top view of the hub according to arrow 8B of FIG. 8A.

FIG. 9A is another side view of the hub of FIG. 2.

FIG. 9B is a top view of the hub according to arrow 9B of FIG. 9A.

FIG. 10 is a bottom view of the hub according to arrow 10 of FIG. 8A or9A.

FIG. 11A is a cross-sectional view of a sub-assembly of the hypodermicinterface assembly arranged in a first partially assembled stateaccording to line 11A-11A of FIG. 1.

FIG. 11B is a cross-sectional view of a partially assembled hypodermicinterface sub-assembly of FIG. 11A arranged in a second partiallyassembled state.

FIG. 11C is a cross-sectional view of an assembled hypodermic interfacesub-assembly of FIG. 11B according to line 11′-11′ of any of FIG. 12.

FIG. 12 is an assembled front perspective view of the hypodermicinterface sub-assembly of FIG. 11C.

FIG. 13 is a top view of the hypodermic interface sub-assembly accordingto arrow 13 of FIG. 12.

FIG. 14 is a bottom view of the hypodermic interface sub-assemblyaccording to arrow 14 of FIG. 12.

FIG. 15 is an assembled rear perspective view of the hypodermicinterface sub-assembly of FIG. 11C.

FIG. 16 is another assembled front perspective view of the hypodermicinterface sub-assembly of FIG. 11C.

FIG. 17 is a side view of the hypodermic interface sub-assembly of FIG.11C.

FIG. 18 is a front perspective view of an exemplary cannula carrier ofthe hypodermic interface assembly of FIG. 1.

FIG. 19 is another front perspective view of an exemplary cannulacarrier of FIG. 18 rotated 90°.

FIG. 20 is another front perspective view of an exemplary cannulacarrier of FIG. 19 rotated 90°.

FIG. 21 is another front perspective view of an exemplary cannulacarrier of FIG. 20 rotated 90°.

FIG. 22 is a rear perspective view of the cannula carrier of FIG. 18.

FIG. 23 is another front perspective view of the cannula carrier of FIG.18.

FIG. 24 is a top view of the cannula carrier according to arrow 24 ofany of FIGS. 18-23.

FIG. 25 is a bottom view of the cannula carrier according to arrow 25 ofany of FIGS. 18-23.

FIG. 26A is a side view of the cannula carrier of FIG. 18.

FIG. 26B is a side view of the cannula carrier of FIG. 26A rotated 45°.

FIG. 26C is a side view of the cannula carrier of FIG. 26B rotated 45°.

FIG. 26D is a side view of the cannula carrier of FIG. 26C rotated 45°.

FIG. 26E is a side view of the cannula carrier of FIG. 26D rotated 45°.

FIG. 26F is a side view of the cannula carrier of FIG. 26E rotated 45°.

FIG. 26G is a side view of the cannula carrier of FIG. 26F rotated 45°.

FIG. 26H is a side view of the cannula carrier of FIG. 26G rotated 45°.

FIG. 27A is a bottom view of the cannula carrier corresponding to FIG.26A.

FIG. 27B is a bottom view of the cannula carrier corresponding to FIG.26B.

FIG. 27C is a bottom view of the cannula carrier corresponding to FIG.26C.

FIG. 27D is a bottom view of the cannula carrier corresponding to FIG.26D.

FIG. 27E is a bottom view of the cannula carrier corresponding to FIG.26E.

FIG. 27F is a bottom view of the cannula carrier corresponding to FIG.26F.

FIG. 27G is a bottom view of the cannula carrier corresponding to FIG.26G

FIG. 27H is a bottom view of the cannula carrier corresponding to FIG.26H.

FIG. 28 is an exploded front perspective view of portions of thehypodermic interface assembly of FIG. 1 including the cannula of FIG. 2,the hub of FIGS. 3-10, and the cannula carrier of FIGS. 18-27H.

FIG. 29 is a cross-sectional view according to line 29-29 of FIG. 28.

FIG. 30 is another cross-sectional view according to FIG. 29illustrating the cannula carrier disposed about the hypodermic interfacesub-assembly of FIGS. 11C-17.

FIG. 31 is another cross-sectional view according to FIG. 30illustrating an adhesive being metered into a passage portion of thecannula carrier for non-removably-joining the cannula carrier to thecannula of the hypodermic interface sub-assembly.

FIG. 32 is another cross-sectional view according to FIG. 31illustrating light that cures the adhesive that non-removably-joins thecannula carrier to the cannula of the hypodermic interface sub-assembly.

FIG. 33 is an assembled rear perspective view of the hypodermicinterface assembly of FIG. 1.

FIG. 34 is another assembled front perspective view of the hypodermicinterface assembly of FIG. 1.

FIG. 35A is perspective cross-sectional view according to line 35-35 ofthe front perspective view of the hypodermic interface assembly of FIG.34 that is arranged in an at-rest orientation.

FIG. 35B is side cross-sectional view of the assembled hypodermicinterface assembly according to arrow 35B of FIG. 35A.

FIG. 36A is another perspective cross-sectional view according to thefront perspective view of the hypodermic interface assembly of FIG. 35Athat is arranged in a biased orientation.

FIG. 36B is side cross-sectional view of the assembled hypodermicinterface assembly according to arrow 36B of FIG. 36A.

FIG. 37A is another perspective cross-sectional view according to thefront perspective view of the hypodermic interface assembly of FIG. 35Athat is arranged in a separated orientation.

FIG. 37B is side cross-sectional view of the assembled hypodermicinterface assembly according to arrow 37B of FIG. 37A.

FIG. 38A is an enlarged view of the assembled hypodermic interfaceassembly according to line 38A of FIG. 35B.

FIG. 38B is a cross-sectional side view of the assembled hypodermicinterface assembly of FIG. 38A.

FIG. 38C is a cross-sectional side view of another assembled hypodermicinterface assembly.

FIG. 38D is a cross-sectional side view of another assembled hypodermicinterface assembly.

FIG. 38E is a cross-sectional side view of another assembled hypodermicinterface assembly.

FIG. 38F is a cross-sectional side view of another assembled hypodermicinterface assembly.

FIG. 39A is perspective cross-sectional view according to the sideperspective view of the hypodermic interface assembly of FIG. 38C thatis arranged in an at-rest orientation.

FIG. 39B is another perspective cross-sectional view according to thefront perspective view of the hypodermic interface assembly of FIG. 39Athat is arranged in a biased orientation.

FIG. 39C is another perspective cross-sectional view according to thefront perspective view of the hypodermic interface assembly of FIG. 39Bthat is arranged in a separated orientation.

FIG. 40 is a view of a hypodermic interface assembly arranged proximateanimalia.

FIG. 41A is a side view of the hypodermic interface assembly and across-sectional view of a portion of the animalia of FIG. 40 arranged ina spaced-apart relationship.

FIG. 41B is another side view of the hypodermic interface assembly andanother cross-sectional view of a portion of the animalia according toFIG. 41A arranged in a pierced relationship.

FIG. 41C is another side view of the hypodermic interface assembly andanother cross-sectional view of a portion of the animalia according toFIG. 41B arranged in a pierced relationship while, optionally, thehypodermic interface assembly is utilized for injecting a fluid into theanimalia.

FIG. 41D is another side view of the hypodermic interface assembly andanother cross-sectional view of a portion of the animalia according toFIG. 41B arranged in a pierced-and-torqued relationship.

FIG. 41E is another side view of the hypodermic interface assembly andanother cross-sectional view of a portion of the animalia according toFIG. 41D arranged in a separated-after-pierced relationship defining afirst portion of the hypodermic interface assembly attached to aninjection gun and a second portion of the hypodermic interface assemblyimpaled within flesh of the animalia.

FIG. 41F is another side view of the according to FIG. 41E illustratinga user grasping the second portion of the hypodermic interface assemblythat is impaled within flesh of the animalia.

FIG. 41G is another side view of the according to FIG. 41F illustratingthe user removing the second portion of the hypodermic interfaceassembly that was impaled within flesh of the animalia.

Corresponding reference numerals indicate corresponding parts throughoutthe drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Example configurations will now be described more fully with referenceto the accompanying drawings. Example configurations are provided sothat this disclosure will be thorough, and will fully convey the scopeof the disclosure to those of ordinary skill in the art. Specificdetails are set forth such as examples of specific components, devices,and methods, to provide a thorough understanding of configurations ofthe present disclosure. It will be apparent to those of ordinary skillin the art that specific details need not be employed, that exampleconfigurations may be embodied in many different forms, and that thespecific details and the example configurations should not be construedto limit the scope of the disclosure.

The figures illustrate exemplary implementations of hypodermic interfaceassemblies. Based on the foregoing, it is to be generally understoodthat the nomenclature used herein is simply for convenience and theterms used herein should be given the broadest meaning by one ofordinary skill in the art.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 33-35B, a hypodermic interface assemblyincluding a cannula 12 (see, e.g., FIGS. 1-2), a hub 14 (see, e.g.,FIGS. 1 and 3-10), a cannula carrier 100 (see, e.g., FIGS. 18-27H), andan optional adhesive 200 (see, e.g., FIGS. 1 and 31-32) is showngenerally at 10. Furthermore, a sub-assembly of the hypodermic interfaceassembly that is defined by the cannula 12 and the hub 14 is seen atFIGS. 11A-17. A central axis that extends through an axial center ofeach component (e.g., the cannula 12, the hub 14, and the cannulacarrier 100) of the hypodermic interface assembly 10 is shown generallyat A₁₀-A₁₀. As will be described in the following disclosure at FIGS.31-32, the adhesive 200 is radially deposited through a radial passage(see, e.g., radial passage 122 of the cannula carrier 100) and theadhesive 200 surrounds a portion of the cannula 12 for optionallyadhesively connecting the cannula 12 to at least the cannula carrier100. Accordingly, the central axis A₁₀-A₁₀ may also extend though anaxial center of the adhesive 200 after it surrounds the cannula 12. Anexemplary alternative configuration of the hypodermic interface assembly10 is also seen at, for example, FIGS. 38C and 39A-39C and functions ina similar manner as the hypodermic interface assembly 10.

As seen at FIGS. 40 and 41A-41G, the cannula 12 is configured to piercean outer surface S_(S) (e.g., the skin or hide) of a subject S (e.g.,animalia, such as a human or non-human). The purpose of piercing theskin or hide S_(S) of the animalia S may be directed to injecting afluid F (e.g., a medicament, a pharmaceutical, a vaccine, an anesthetic,or the like) into the animalia S as seen at, for example, FIG. 41C. Inother examples, the purpose of piercing the skin or hide S_(S) of theanimalia S may be directed to the purpose of drawing a fluid F (e.g.,blood) from the animalia S. Accordingly, the cannula 12 may be referredto as a hypodermic cannula, and, as such, the assembly 10 may bereferred to as a hypodermic interface assembly as a result of thecannula 12 being capable of injecting or drawing a fluid F into/from theanimalia S.

The design of the hypodermic interface assembly 10 provides for: (1) afirst portion (see, e.g., a first portion 10 a at FIGS. 37A-37B and41E-41G) of the hypodermic interface assembly 10 that is configured toremain attached to an injection gun I after the cannula 12 is subjectedto one or more radial forces X_(R) (see, e.g., FIG. 41D) relative to thecentral axis A₁₀-A₁₀ extending through the hypodermic interface assembly10; and (2) a second portion (see, e.g., a second portion 10 b at FIGS.37A-37B and 41E-41G) of the hypodermic interface assembly 10 that isconfigured to controllably (and/or predictably) separate from the firstportion 10 a of the hypodermic interface assembly 10 after the cannula12 is subjected to the one or more radial forces X_(R) relative to thecentral axis A₁₀-A₁₀ extending through the hypodermic interface assembly10. With reference to FIG. 39C, in some configurations, the secondportion 10 b of the hypodermic interface assembly 10 includes theentirety of a length (see, e.g., L₁₂ in FIG. 2) of the cannula 12. Insome instances, controlled separation of the second portion 10 b of thehypodermic interface assembly 10 from the first portion 10 a of thehypodermic interface assembly 10 may occur after the cannula 12 piercesthe subject S (see, e.g., FIGS. 40 and 41B-41D). The subject S may be,for example, animalia, such as a human or non-human (i.e., an animal,such as a pig or swine). In other examples, the subject S may be aninanimate object. The predicable and controlled separation of the secondportion 10 b of the hypodermic interface assembly 10 from the firstportion 10 a of the hypodermic interface assembly 10 mitigatesseparation of the cannula 12 alone from a non-separated, non-broken, orunitary configuration of the hub 14, which may otherwise result in thecannula 12 being broken-off from the injection gun I and subsequentlybeing lost within the flesh of the animalia.

As seen at FIG. 2, the cannula 12 is defined by a tube-shaped body 16having a proximal end 16 _(P) and a distal end 16 _(D). The cannula 12is defined by a length L₁₂ extending between the proximal end 16 _(P) ofthe tube-shaped body 16 and the distal end 16 _(D) of the tube-shapedbody 16. The length L₁₂ of the cannula 12 is defined by a plurality ofsub-lengths L_(12a) (including sub-length portions L_(12a1), L_(12a2),L_(12a3), and L_(12a4)), L_(12b), and L_(12c), which will be furtherdescribed in the following disclosure.

The cannula 12 may be formed using any desirable manufacturing proceduresuch as, for example: a drawing procedure, a molding procedure; acasting procedure; a machining procedure; a lathing procedure; or acombination thereof. The cannula 12 made from any desirable materialsuch as, for example: a metallic material; a plastic material; or acombination thereof. In some examples, the cannula 12 may be made from astainless steel material. In other instances, the cannula 12 may be madefrom an aluminum material. In yet other examples, the cannula 12 may bemade from a detectable material such as, for example, a detectablealloy, a ferromagnetic alloy, a magnetically-detectable material, amagnetic resonance imaging (MRI) detectable material, a material thatabsorbs X-rays, or the like.

The cannula 12 may be defined in terms of ‘gauge size’ that takes intoconsideration skid/hide thickness of the subject S and/or a depth ofinjection of the subject S. The gauge size of the cannula 12 may bedefined in a series of industry standard numbers in which, for example,the lower the number, the wider the diameter of the cannula.Furthermore, the series of industry standard numbers defining gauge sizeof the cannula 12 may be defined in a manner such that, for example, ahigher gauge number indicates a smaller width of the cannula 12. In someinstances, the industry standard gauge sizes of the cannula 12 may rangefrom, for example: 14-Gauge; 16-Gauge; 18-Gauge; and 20-Gauge.Accordingly, in the range of exemplary industry standard numbersdescribed above, a 14-Gauge cannula may be said to have a relativelylargest diameter and highest strength (in terms ofbendability/flexibility to a point where the cannula 12 couldpotentially break/fail) whereas a 20-Gauge cannula may be said to have arelatively smallest diameter and lowest strength (in terms ofbendability/flexibility to a point where the cannula 12 couldpotentially break/fail).

A central axis A₁₂-A₁₂ extends through an axial center of thetube-shaped body 16 and along the length L₁₂ of the tube-shaped body 16.As will be described in the following disclosure and shown at FIG. 41Dand at FIG. 2, a portion of the length L₁₂ of the tube-shaped body 16(see, e.g., the sub-length portion L_(12c)) may bend, flex, or deviatefrom the central axis A₁₂-A₁₂ that extends through an axial center ofthe tube-shaped body 16. The sub-length portion L_(12c) of the lengthL₁₂ of the tube-shaped body 16 that may bend, flex, or deviate from thecentral axis A₁₂-A₁₂ extends generally along an axis A₁₂′-A₁₂′ that maybe said to be not aligned with and to deviate away from the central axisA₁₀-A₁₀ extending through the hypodermic interface assembly 10 when thecannula 12 is arranged as a component of the hypodermic interfaceassembly 10.

The tube-shaped body 16 is further defined by a proximal end surface 18at the proximal end 16 _(P) of the tube-shaped body 16 and a distal endsurface 20 at distal end 16 _(D) of the tube-shaped body 16. Thetube-shaped body 16 is further defined by an outer surface 22 extendingbetween the proximal end surface 18 and the distal end surface 20. Thetube-shaped body 16 is further defined by an inner surface 24 extendingbetween the proximal end surface 18 and the distal end surface 20. Theinner surface 24 further defines a passage 26 extending through thetube-shaped body 16. The proximal end surface 18 defines a proximalopening 28 that is in fluid communication with the passage 26. Thedistal end surface 20 defines a distal opening 30 that is in fluidcommunication with the passage 26.

With reference to FIG. 38A (which illustrates an enlarged cross-sectionview of an exemplary hypodermic interface assembly 10), the body 16 ofthe cannula 12 is defined by a thickness T₁₂ extending between the outersurface 22 of the body 16 and the inner surface 24 of the body 16. Theouter surface 22 further defines an outer diameter D₁₂ of the cannula 12that is referenced from the central axis A₁₂-A₁₂, which may becoincident with respective central axes A₁₀-A₁₀ and A₁₄-A₁₄ of each ofthe hypodermic interface assembly 10 and the hub 14. The inner surface24 further defines the passage 26 to have a passage diameter D₂₆. Thepassage 26 is in fluid communication with the proximal opening 28 andthe distal opening 30 in order to permit: (1) passage of a fluid F (see,e.g., FIG. 41C) into the tube-shaped body 16 at the proximal opening 28;(2) through the passage 26 in a direction from the proximal end 16 _(P)of the tube-shaped body 16 and towards the distal end 16 _(D) of thetube-shaped body 16; and (3) out of the distal opening 30.

With reference to FIGS. 2 and 38A, the proximal end surface 18 extendsfrom the outer surface 22 substantially perpendicularly, and, as such,defines the proximal end surface 18 to be blunted or non-sharpened.Furthermore, the proximal opening 28 formed by the proximal end surface18 may define a substantially circular-shaped geometry that is definedby a proximal opening diameter D₂₈ that is substantially similar to thepassage diameter D₂₆ of the passage 26.

With reference to FIG. 2, the distal end surface 20 extends from theouter surface 22 at a beveled angle θ₂₀, and, as such, the distal endsurface 20 may be referred to as a beveled distal end surface thatterminates at or defines a sharp piercing tip 32. The beveled distal endsurface 20 may be defined by any desirable beveled angle θ₂₀ that forms,for example, a “standard bevel,” a “short bevel,” or a “true shortbevel.” Because the beveled distal end surface 20 extends from the outersurface 22 at a beveled angle θ₂₀, the distal opening 30 may be definedby an oval-shaped geometry. In one embodiment, the distal end surface 20may be defined by three separate beveled cuts.

As seen at FIGS. 3-10, the hub 14 is defined by a substantiallytube-shaped body 34 having a proximal end 34 _(P) and a distal end 34_(D). The hub 14 is defined by a length L₁₄ (see, e.g., FIG. 7)extending between the proximal end 34 _(P) of the substantiallytube-shaped body 34 and the distal end 34 _(D) of the substantiallytube-shaped body 34. The length L₁₄ of the hub 14 is defined by aplurality of sub-lengths L_(14a), L_(14b), L_(14c), and L_(14d), whichwill be further described in the following disclosure.

The hub 14 may be formed using any desirable manufacturing proceduresuch as, for example: a molding procedure; a casting procedure; amachining procedure; a lathing procedure; or a combination thereof. Thehub 14 made from any desirable material such as, for example: a metallicmaterial; a plastic material; or a combination thereof. In someexamples, the hub 14 may be made from a stainless steel material. Inother instances, the hub 14 may be made from an aluminum material,brass, steel, or alloys. In other examples, the hub 14 may be made fromplastic materials including but not limited to polypropylene (PP),polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyamides (e.g., nylon 6, nylon 6, 6,thermosetting plastics such as polyester resins, epoxy resins,acrylics), and the like. Furthermore, in some instances, the hub 14 maybe finished with an anodization, a polishing, an electro-polishing, acoating, a paint or the like with, for example, a highly visible finish(e.g., a dye, a fluorescent coating, a phosphorescent coating, a brightgloss, matt color finish, or the like that preferably is not similar tothe flesh tone or color of the surface S_(S) of the flesh of theanimalia).

The substantially tube-shaped body 34 is further defined by a proximalend surface 36 at the proximal end 34 _(P) of the substantiallytube-shaped body 34 and a distal end surface 38 at distal end 34 _(D) ofthe substantially tube-shaped body 34. The substantially tube-shapedbody 34 is further defined by an outer surface 40 extending between theproximal end surface 36 and the distal end surface 38. The substantiallytube-shaped body 34 is further defined by an inner surface 42 extendingbetween the proximal end surface 36 and the distal end surface 38.

The inner surface 42 further defines a passage 44 extending through thesubstantially tube-shaped body 34. The proximal end surface 36 defines aproximal opening 46 (see, e.g., FIGS. 4, 7, and 10) that is in fluidcommunication with the passage 44. The distal end surface 38 defines adistal opening 48 (see, e.g., FIGS. 3, 5, 7, 8B, 9B) that is in fluidcommunication with the passage 44.

As seen at FIGS. 3-10, a ring portion 50 projects radially outwardlyaway from a central axis A₁₄-A₁₄ away from the outer surface 40 of thesubstantially tube-shaped body 34. The ring portion 50 may bealternatively referred to as a barrel-engaging portion that isconfigured to be connected to a barrel portion I_(B) of an injection gunI (see, e.g., FIG. 40). The barrel-engaging portion 50 is defined by anouter side surface 52 that extends between the proximal end surface 36and a distal shoulder surface 54. The barrel-engaging portion 50 may bedefined by a thickness T₅₀ (see, e.g., FIGS. 6 and 7) extending betweenthe proximal end surface 36 and the distal shoulder surface 54. Thebarrel-engaging portion 50 may generally define a Luer lock.

The outer surface 40 of the substantially tube-shaped body 34 may definea substantially circular-shaped geometry that defines a first outerdiameter D₁₄₋₁ (see, e.g., FIG. 7) of the hub 14. The outer side surface52 of the barrel-engaging portion 50 may define a substantiallycircular-shaped geometry that defines a second outer diameter D₁₄₋₂(see, e.g., FIG. 7) of the hub 14. The second outer diameter D₁₄₋₂ ofthe hub 14 is greater than the first outer diameter D₁₄₋₁ of the hub 14.The outer surface 40 of the substantially tube-shaped body 34 mayfurther define another substantially circular-shaped geometry thatfurther defines a third outer diameter D₁₄₋₃ (see, e.g., FIG. 7) of thehub 14.

As seen at FIGS. 3-5, 8A-8B, 9A-9B, and 10, the substantiallycircular-shaped geometry of the outer side surface 52 of thebarrel-engaging portion 50 is interrupted by a first radially-outwardprojection or ear 56 and a second radially-outward projection or ear 58that extend beyond the second outer diameter D₁₄₋₂ of the hub 14. Thefirst radially-outward projection or ear 56 may be arranged opposite ofor offset approximately 180° from the second radially-outward projectionor ear 58.

As seen at FIG. 7, the inner surface 42 of the substantially tube-shapedbody 34 includes a first inner surface portion 42 a, a second innersurface portion 42 b, and a third inner surface portion 42 c. Each ofthe first inner surface portion 42 a and the second inner surfaceportion 42 b generally circumscribe the central axis A₁₄-A₁₄ of the hub14. The third inner surface portion 42 c connects the first innersurface portion 42 a to the second inner surface portion 42 b;furthermore, the third inner surface portion 42 c may be substantiallyorthogonal to the central axis A₁₄-A₁₄ of the hub 14. The third innersurface portion 42 c may be substantially perpendicular with respect toeach of the first inner surface portion 42 a and the second innersurface portion 42 b; in some implementations, the transition of each ofthe first inner surface portion 42 a and the second inner surfaceportion 42 b to the third inner surface portion 42 c may be defines by acurved or arcuate segment. As will be seen in the following disclosureat FIGS. 11B-11C, after material deformation of at least a portion of,for example, the second portion 34 b of the substantially tube-shapedbody 34 of the hub 14 (e.g., by crimping a portion of, for example, thesecond portion 34 b of the substantially tube-shaped body 34 of the hub14 after the cannula 12 is interfaced with the hub 14 as seen as FIG.11B), the curved or arcuate segment joining the second inner surfaceportion 42 b to the third inner surface portion 42 c may change in shapeas a result of the material shifting or “flowing”, and, as such, aportion of the third inner surface portion 42 c that extends from thesecond inner surface portion 42 b may define a frustoconical surfaceportion (see, e.g., FIG. 11C) surrounding the cannula 12.

The first inner surface portion 42 a of the inner surface defines afirst passage portion 44 a of the passage 44. The second inner surfaceportion 42 b defines a second passage portion 44 b of the passage 44.

The first passage portion 44 a defines a first passage diameter D₄₄₋₁(see, e.g., FIG. 7) of the passage 44. The second passage portion 44 bdefines a second passage diameter D₄₄₋₂ (see, e.g., FIG. 7) of thepassage 44. The first passage diameter D₄₄₋₁ is greater than the secondpassage diameter D₄₄₋₂. The second passage diameter D₄₄₋₂ isapproximately equal to but slightly greater than the outer diameter D₁₂of the cannula 12.

The first passage portion 44 a of the passage 44 is in fluidcommunication with the proximal opening 46, and the second passageportion 44 b of the passage 44 is in fluid communication with the distalopening 48. Furthermore, the first passage portion 44 a is in fluidcommunication with the second passage portion 44 b by way of anintermediate opening 47. Accordingly, the passage 44 permits: (1)passage of a fluid F (see, e.g., FIG. 41C) into the substantiallytube-shaped body 34 at the proximal opening 46; (2) through the firstpassage portion 44 a of the passage 44 in a direction from the proximalend 34 _(P) of the substantially tube-shaped body 34 and towards theintermediate opening 47 defined by the third inner surface portion 42 c;(3) through the intermediate opening 47 that defines a proximal openingof the second passage portion 44 b of the passage 44; (4) through thesecond passage portion 44 b of the passage 44 in a direction from theintermediate opening 47 and towards the distal end 34 _(D) of thesubstantially tube-shaped body 34; and (5) out of the distal opening 48.

The proximal opening 46 formed by the proximal end surface 36 may definea substantially circular-shaped geometry that is defined by a proximalopening diameter D₄₆ (see, e.g., FIG. 7) that is substantially similarto the first passage diameter D₄₄₋₁ of the first passage portion 44 a.The intermediate opening 47 formed by the third inner surface portion 42c of the inner surface 42 of the substantially tube-shaped body 34 maydefine a substantially circular-shaped geometry that is defined by anintermediate opening diameter D₄₇ (see, e.g., FIG. 7) that issubstantially equal to the second passage diameter D₄₄₋₂. The distalopening 48 formed by the distal end surface 38 may define asubstantially circular-shaped geometry that is defined by a distalopening diameter D₄₈ (see, e.g., FIG. 7) that is substantially similarto the second passage diameter D₄₄₋₂. Although some of thedimensions/diameters/geometries are descried above to be substantiallysimilar or the same, the view of the hub 14 in the Figures (e.g., atFIG. 7) are exemplary and are not to scale. In some instances, the firstpassage portion 44 a may be formed to include a draft angle (e.g., a 1°draft angle) that, for example, may assist in the removal of the hub 14from tooling when the hub 14 is formed. Accordingly, the first passagediameter D₄₄₋₁ of the first passage portion 44 a may progressivelydecrease in diameter as the first passage diameter D₄₄₋₁ of the firstpassage portion 44 a extends in a direction from the proximal endsurface 36 of the hub 14 toward the distal end surface 38 of the hub 14.

Referring to FIGS. 3-6, 8A, 8B, 9A, and 9B, one or more ribs 60 mayproject radially outwardly away from a central axis A₁₄-A₁₄ away from anouter body surface portion 62 defined by the outer surface 40 of thesubstantially tube-shaped body 34. The one or more ribs 60 may include,for example, a first rib 60 a, a second rib 60 b, a third rib 60 c, anda fourth rib 60 d.

The one or more ribs 60 may increase the structural integrity of thesubstantially tube-shaped body 34 of the hub 14. In some configurations,the one or more ribs 60 may arise from mold relief features during themanufacturing process of the substantially tube-shaped body 34 of thehub 14. Furthermore, the one or more ribs 60 may be configured to engagepackaging (not shown). Engagement of the one or more ribs 60 with thepackaging may assist in containing the cannula 12 and the hub 14 duringshipping and/or assist in engagement/disengagement of the hub 14with/from the injection gun I. As seen throughout the Figures, an outersurface portion of each rib 60 a, 60 b, 60 c, 60 d may extend radiallyoutwardly, defining a lug portion; the lug portion may, for example bedefined by an inclined or beveled surface 61. Each lug portion may besized for engagement with the packaging.

Each rib 60 a, 60 b, 60 c, 60 d of the one or more ribs 60 includes adistal end 60 _(D) and a proximal end 60 _(P). The proximal end 60 _(P)of each rib 60 a, 60 b, 60 c, 60 d of the one or more ribs 60 extendsfrom the distal shoulder surface 54 of the barrel-engaging portion 50.The distal end 60 _(D) of each rib 60 a, 60 b, 60 c, 60 d of the one ormore ribs 60 extends in a direction toward the distal end surface 38 ofthe substantially tube-shaped body 34 and terminates at, before, or nearan outer shoulder surface portion 64 (see, e.g., FIGS. 3-9) defined bythe outer surface 40 of the substantially tube-shaped body 34. Each rib60 a, 60 b, 60 c, 60 d of the one or more ribs 60 may define asubstantially rectangular body that terminates with a substantiallytriangular body portion defined by the distal end 60 _(D) of each rib 60a, 60 b, 60 c, 60 d of the one or more ribs 60.

The outer shoulder surface portion 64 extends from a distal-most end ofthe outer body surface portion 62 of the outer surface 40 of thesubstantially tube-shaped body 34. In some configurations, the outershoulder surface portion 64 may define a dome-shaped or curved outershoulder surface portion.

Referring to FIGS. 3-7, 8A, and 9A a distal-most end of the outershoulder surface portion 64 terminates at an outer head surface portion68. The outer head surface portion 68 generally circumscribes thecentral axis A₁₄-A₁₄ of the hub 14.

As seen at FIG. 7, the outer head surface portion 68 of the outersurface 40 of the substantially tube-shaped body 34 defines the thirdouter diameter D₁₄₋₃ of the hub 14. As seen at FIG. 7, the second outerdiameter D₁₄₋₂ is greater than the third outer diameter D₁₄₋₃.

With reference to FIGS. 6-7, the hypodermic interface assembly 10 alsoincludes a circumferential notch or groove 65 that is configured toreceive one or more portions of the cannula carrier 100 (see, e.g.,FIGS. 28-30). The circumferential notch or groove 65 may extend into theouter body surface portion 62 of the outer surface 40 of thesubstantially tube-shaped body 34 of the hub 14 at a distance (see,e.g., the sub-length L_(14a)) away from the distal end surface 38 of thehub 14. In some configurations, the circumferential notch or groove 65may extend into the outer surface 40 of the substantially tube-shapedbody 34 near a proximal-most end of the outer shoulder surface portion64. The circumferential notch or groove 65 may be defined by a pluralityof surface portions (see, e.g., surface portions 65 a, 65 b, 65 c, 65 dat FIG. 29) of the outer surface 40 of the substantially tube-shapedbody 34. The surface portions 65 a, 65 b, 65 c, 65 d that define thecircumferential notch or groove 65 may be shaped to matingly-receive oneor more corresponding surface portions (see, e.g., barb surface portions130 a, 130 b, 130 c, 130 d) of the cannula carrier 100.

With reference to FIG. 7, the sub-length L_(14a) defines the length ofthe outer shoulder surface portion 64 and the outer head surface portion68 of the outer surface 40 of the substantially tube-shaped body 34. Thesub-length L_(14b) defines the length circumferential notch or groove 65that is defined by the outer body surface portion 62 of the outersurface 40 of the substantially tube-shaped body 34. The sub-lengthL_(14c) defines the length of the outer body surface portion 62 of theouter surface 40 of the substantially tube-shaped body 34 that extendsbetween a proximal-most end of the circumferential notch or groove 65and the distal shoulder surface 54 of the barrel-engaging portion 50.The sub-length L_(14d) defines a thickness of the barrel-engagingportion 50 that extends between the proximal end surface 36 of thesubstantially tube-shaped body 34 and the distal shoulder surface 54 ofthe barrel-engaging portion 50.

As will be described in the following disclosure, the substantiallytube-shaped body 34 of the hub 14 may define first portion 10 a of thehypodermic interface assembly 10 that is configured to remain attachedto the injection gun I after the cannula 12 is subjected to one or moreradial forces X_(R) relative to the central axis A₁₀-A₁₀ extendingthrough the hypodermic interface assembly 10. The cannula carrier 100,which is removably-connected to the hub 14 at, for example, thecircumferential notch or groove 65 defined by the outer body surfaceportion 62 of the outer surface 40 of the substantially tube-shaped body34 of the hub 14, may define a first component portion of a secondportion 10 b of the hypodermic interface assembly 10 (with a secondcomponent portion of the second portion 10 b of the hypodermic interfaceassembly 10 being the cannula 12 and a third component being theoptional adhesive 200) that is configured to controllably separate fromthe first portion 10 a of the hypodermic interface assembly 10 after thecannula 12 is subjected to the one or more radial forces X_(R) relativeto the central axis A₁₀-A₁₀ extending through the hypodermic interfaceassembly 10. Accordingly, as will be explained in the followingdisclosure, upon predictably separating the cannula carrier 100 and thecannula 12 from the substantially tube-shaped body 34 of the hub 14, auser may easily locate and grasp (see, e.g., FIG. 41F) the cannulacarrier 100 (that is non-removably-connected to the cannula 12) in orderto remove the cannula 12 (see, e.g., FIG. 41G) from the flesh of theanimalia S such that the cannula 12 is not lost within the flesh of theanimalia S (should the one or more radial forces X_(R) relative to thecentral axis A₁₀-A₁₀ extending through the hypodermic interface assembly10 be imparted to the cannula 12 during the course of utilizing thehypodermic interface assembly 10, which may otherwise undesirably resultin the cannula 12 being separated from the injection gun I).

Referring to FIGS. 11A-11C, a method for assembling a sub-assembly(defined by the cannula 12 and the hub 14) of the hypodermic interfaceassembly 10 (the sub-assembly of which is shown in assembled form atFIGS. 12-17, 28 and 29) is described. Firstly, at FIG. 11A, thecomponents (i.e., the cannula 12 and the hub 14 of the sub-assembly areaxially aligned about a central axis A₁₀-A₁₀ (see also FIG. 1). Thecentral axis A₁₀-A₁₀ corresponds to, for example, the central axesA₁₂-A₁₂, A₁₄-A₁₄ of each of the cannula 12 and the hub 14.

As will be described in the following disclosure, the cannula 12 ismechanically joined to any portion of the hub 14 as a result of, forexample, material deformation of at least a portion of, for example, theouter head surface portion 68 of the outer surface 40 of thesubstantially tube-shaped body 34 of the hub 14 (e.g., by crimping aportion of, for example, outer head surface portion 68 of the outersurface 40 of the substantially tube-shaped body 34 of the hub 14 asseen as FIGS. 11B and 11C). Although the sub-assembly of the hypodermicinterface assembly 10 is formed by a mechanical connection, the cannula12 may alternatively or additionally be joined to any portion of the hub14, such as, for example, with an adhesive (not shown), such as, forexample: an acrylic adhesive, a cyanoacrylate adhesive, a ultra-violet(UV) curable adhesive, or the like. In other configurations the hub 14may be attached to the cannula 12 by over-molding a material definingthe hub 14 relative the cannula 12 (e.g., when the hub 14 is formed froma moldable material such as a plastic material).

As seen at FIG. 11A, a portion of the cannula 12 including the proximalend surface 18 at the proximal end 16 _(P) of the tube-shaped body 16 isshown arranged near the distal opening 48 (that is in fluidcommunication with the second passage portion 44 b of the passage 44 ofthe hub 14) formed by the distal end surface 38 of the hub 14. Thecentral axis A₁₂-A₁₂ (see, e.g., FIG. 2) of the cannula 12 is axiallyaligned with the central axis A₁₄-A₁₄ of the hub 14. The central axesA₁₂-A₁₂ and A₁₄-A₁₄ of each of the cannula 12 and the hub 14 correspondto the central axis A₁₀-A₁₀ (see FIG. 1) of the hypodermic interfaceassembly 10.

As described above, the outer surface 22 of the tube-shaped body 16 ofthe cannula 12 defines an outer diameter D₁₂ of the cannula 12, and thesecond passage diameter D₄₄₋₂ (that defines the second passage portion44 b of the passage 44) is approximately equal to but slightly greaterthan the outer diameter D₁₂ of the cannula 12 so that at least a portionof the second passage portion 44 b of the passage 44 is configured toreceive the cannula 12. Then, as seen at FIGS. 11B-11C, the proximal end16 _(P) of the tube-shaped body 16 of the cannula 12 is inserted(according to the direction of the arrow Y as seen at FIG. 11A) throughthe distal opening 48 formed by the distal end surface 38 of the hub 14and then disposed within at least a portion of the second passageportion 44 b of the passage 44 of the hub 14. In some configurations asseen at, for example, FIGS. 11C and 38A-38B, the cannula 12 may bearranged relative the hub 14 such that the proximal end 16 _(P) of thetube-shaped body 16 of the cannula 12 is located beyond the third innersurface portion 42 c (see, e.g., dashed line P1 at FIG. 38B) of theinner surface 42 of the substantially tube-shaped body 34. As such, aportion of the cannula 12 is arranged within and entirely occupies thesecond passage portion 44 b of the passage 44 of the hub 14 while alsobeing partially disposed within the first passage portion 44 a of thepassage 44 of the hub 14.

Thereafter, as seen at FIG. 11B, the cannula 12 is arranged within thepassage 44 of the hub 14 in order to subsequently, for example,mechanically join the cannula 12 to the hub 14 by, for example,arranging the head surface portion 68 of the outer surface 40 of thesubstantially tube-shaped body 34 of the hub 14 within, for example, acrimping tool T. The crimping tool T may punch, crimp, swage ormaterially deform, for example, all or a portion of the head surfaceportion 68 of the outer surface 40 of the substantially tube-shaped body34 of the hub 14 in order to mechanically connect all or a portion ofthe second inner surface portion 42 b of the inner surface 42 of thesubstantially tube-shaped body 34 of the hub 14 to a portion of thelength (see, e.g., sub-length L_(12a2) at FIG. 2) of the outer surface22 of the tube-shaped body 16 of the cannula 12 in a friction-fitrelationship, an interference-fit relationship, or amechanically-coupled relationship.

Accordingly, as seen at FIG. 11C, the cannula 12 may be mechanicallyjoined to the hub 14 as a result of the material deformation of theportion of the hub 14 by the crimping tool T. In some configurations asseen at FIG. 11C and FIGS. 12 and 15-17 and 28, the crimping tool T maypunch, crimp, swage or materially deform, for example, a portion of theouter surface 40 of the substantially tube-shaped body 34. In someimplementations, for example, the crumping tool T may punch, crimp,swage or materially deform (see, e.g., reference numeral 68′), forexample, a portion or all of the outer head surface portion 68 of theouter surface 40 of the substantially tube-shaped body 34. Accordingly,in such implementations, the outer head surface portion 68 of the outersurface 40 of the substantially tube-shaped body 34 may define crimpingpockets (see, e.g., reference numeral 68′) that infer materialdeformation of the outer head surface portion 68 of the outer surface 40of the substantially tube-shaped body 34, and, as a result,distinguishes a “deformed” hub 14 that is mechanically connected to thecannula 12 from a virgin or “non-deformed” hub 14 (see, e.g., FIGS.3-10) having an outer head surface portion 68 of the outer surface 40 ofthe substantially tube-shaped body 34 that does not define crimpingpockets 68′.

As described above, a portion of the length (e.g., sub-length L_(12a2))of the outer surface 22 of the tube-shaped body 16 of the cannula 12 maybe disposed within the second passage portion 44 b of the passage 44 ofthe hub 14 and may be mechanically secured (see, e.g., FIG. 11C) to atleast a portion of the second inner surface portion 42 b of the innersurface 42 of the substantially tube-shaped body 34 of the hub 14, whichmay extend along a sub-length of the hub 14 defined by the lengthL_(14a) (see, e.g., FIG. 7) of the outer head surface portion 68 of theouter surface 40 of the substantially tube-shaped body 34 of the hub 14.Additionally, with reference to FIGS. 11C and 38A, a further portion ofthe length (e.g., sub-length L_(12a3) at FIG. 2) of the outer surface 22of the tube-shaped body 16 of the cannula 12 may be disposed within thesecond passage portion 44 b of the passage 44 of the hub 14, and mayextend along the sub-length of the hub 14 defined by the length L_(14a)the head surface portion 68 of the outer surface 40 of the substantiallytube-shaped body 34 of the hub 14. As such, in some implementations, aportion of the sub-length L_(14a) of the length L₁₄ of the hub 14 maynot be materially deformed by the crimping tool T. For example, thesub-length L_(12a3) of the cannula 12 may not be mechanically coupled tothe hub 14 along the portion of the sub-length L_(14a) of the headsurface portion 68 of the outer surface 40 of the substantiallytube-shaped body 34 of the hub 14.

Furthermore, as seen at FIGS. 11C and 38A, a portion of the length (see,e.g., length portion L_(12a4)) of the outer surface 22 of thetube-shaped body 16 of the cannula 12 may be disposed within the secondpassage portion 44 b of the passage 44 of the hub 14, which may extendalong a sub-length of the hub 14 defined by a portion of the lengthL_(14a) of the outer shoulder surface portion 64 of the outer surface 40of the substantially tube-shaped body 34 of the hub 14. With referenceto FIGS. 2, 11C, and 38A a remainder/length portion (see, e.g., lengthportion L_(12c)) of the outer surface 22 of the tube-shaped body 16 ofthe cannula 12 extends beyond the distal end surface 38 of the hub 14and is not contained within the passage 44 of the hub 14.

With reference to FIGS. 28-32, in addition to the cannula 12 beingjoined to the hub 14 to define the sub-assembly (defined by the cannula12 and the hub 14), the subassembly may be joined to the cannula carrier100 to further define the hypodermic interface assembly 10 (and theadhesive 200 may be deposited and then cured). The hypodermic interfaceassembly 10 may be joined to an injection gun I (see, e.g., FIG. 40). Aswill be described in the following disclosure at FIGS. 41A-41G, thesecond portion 10 b of the hypodermic interface assembly 10 isconfigured to controllably separate from the first portion 10 a of thehypodermic interface assembly 10 (see, e.g., FIGS. 35A-35B, 36A-36B, and37A-37B). With reference to FIGS. 18-27H, an exemplary cannula carrier100 is now described.

Referring to FIGS. 18-21, an exemplary cannula carrier 100 includes ahead portion 102 and a plurality of leg portions 104 defined by, forexample, four leg portions including a first leg portion 104 a (see,e.g., FIG. 19), a second leg portion 104 b (see, e.g., FIG. 18), a thirdleg portion 104 c (see, e.g., FIG. 21), and a fourth leg portion 104 d(see, e.g., FIG. 20). The head portion 102 includes a body 106 extendingbetween a proximal end surface 108 and a distal end surface 110. Thebody 106 is also defined by a thickness T₁₀₆ (see, e.g., FIG. 29)extending between an inner surface 112 (see, e.g., FIG. 29) and an outersurface 114. The cannula carrier 100 may be formed using any desirablemanufacturing procedure such as, for example: a molding procedure; acasting procedure; a machining procedure; or a combination thereof. Thecannula carrier 100 may be made from any desirable material such as, forexample: a metallic material; a plastic material; or a combinationthereof. In some examples, the cannula carrier 100 may be made with ahigh visibility dye or pigment such as, for example, a brightly coloredpigment, a fluorescent pigment, a phosphorescent pigment,retroreflective partially mirrored glass beads, metallic flake pigment,or the like that preferably is not similar to the flesh tone or color ofthe surface S_(S) of the flesh of the animalia. Furthermore, when thecannula carrier 100 is formed, the cannula carrier 100 may include anover-molded RFID component (not shown) embedded in the material or anRFID sticker (not shown) or other identifying information disposed uponone or more of the inner surface 112 and the outer surface 114 of thecannula carrier 100 in order to determine the location and/or serialnumber or other identifier associated with the cannula carrier 100.

With reference to FIG. 29, the inner surface 112 of the body 106 of thehead portion 102 of the cannula carrier 100 defines an axial passage116. Access to the axial passage 116 is permitted by a proximal opening118 (see, e.g., FIGS. 22, 25, and 27A-27H) and a distal opening 120(see, e.g., FIGS. 18-21, 23, and 24). Furthermore, the inner surface 112includes a first inner surface portion 112 a defining a first passageportion 116 a. The inner surface 112 also includes a second innersurface portion 112 b defining a second passage portion 116 b that is influid communication with the first passage portion 116 a. The firstinner surface portion 112 a extends from the proximal end surface 108and defines the proximal opening 118. The second inner surface portion112 b extends from the distal end surface 110 and defines the distalopening 120.

The first passage portion 116 a is defined by a first passage diameterD_(116a) (see, e.g., FIG. 29) and the second passage portion 116 b isdefined by a second passage diameter D_(116b) (see, e.g., FIG. 29). Thefirst passage diameter D_(116a) is greater than the second passagediameter D_(116b). The second passage diameter D_(116b) is approximatelyequal to but slightly greater than the outer diameter D₁₂ of the cannula12 so that at least a portion of the second passage portion 116 bdefined by the second inner surface portion 112 b of the inner surface112 of the body 106 of the head portion 102 of the cannula carrier 100is configured to receive the cannula 12. As will be described in thefollowing disclosure at FIGS. 28-31, upon arranging the cannula 12within the second passage portion 116 b, a portion L_(12a1) of thelength L₁₂ of the cannula 12 see, FIG. 2) may be arranged within thesecond passage portion 116 b of the head portion 102 of the cannulacarrier 100 such that the outer surface 22 of the tube-shaped body 16 ofcannula 12 may be friction-fit-coupled to the second inner surfaceportion 112 b of the inner surface 112 of the body 106 of the headportion 102 of the cannula carrier 100 in order to “plug” or “fluidlyseal” the distal opening 120 of the cannula carrier (100).

Referring to FIGS. 18-20, 22, 23, 26A-26C, and 26G-26H, the body 106 ofthe head portion 102 of the cannula carrier 100 also defines a radialpassage 122 that extends through the thickness T₁₀₆ body 106 of the headportion of the cannula carrier 100. As seen at FIG. 29, access to theradial passage 122 is provided by an inner surface opening 124 definedby the inner first inner surface portion 112 a of the inner surface 112of the body 106 of the cannula carrier 100 (i.e., the radial passage 122is in direct fluid communication with the first passage portion 116 a.With reference to any of FIGS. 18-20, 22, 23, 26A-26C, and 26G-26H,access to the radial passage 122 is also provided by an outer surfaceopening 126 defined by the outer surface 114 of the body 106 of the headportion 102 of the cannula carrier 100. As seen at, for example, FIG.19, the radial passage 122 may be axially aligned with a leg portion104, e.g., the first leg portion 104 a of the plurality of leg portions104, of the cannula carrier 100.

Each leg portion 104 a, 104 b, 104 c, 104 d axially extends from theproximal end surface 108 of the body 106 of the head portion 102 of thecannula carrier 100. Collectively, the leg portions 104 a, 104 b, 104 c,104 d circumscribe a central axis A₁₀₀-A₁₀₀ extending through an axialcenter of the cannula carrier 100 and each may be circumferentiallyoffset approximately 90° from an adjacent leg portion 104 a, 104 b, 104c, 104 d, defining an axial gap 128 between each adjacent leg portion104 a, 104 b, 104 c, 104 d.

Furthermore, with reference to, for example, FIGS. 18-23, each legportion 104 a, 104 b, 104 c, 104 d is defined by a proximal barb portion130. As seen at FIG. 29, each proximal barb portion 130 is defined by aplurality of barb surface portions 130 a, 130 b, 130 c, 130 d that maybe configured to matingly-couple with the surface portions 65 a, 65 b,65 c, 65 d that define the circumferential notch or groove 65 thatextends into the outer body surface portion 62 of the outer surface 40of the substantially tube-shaped body 34 of the hub 14. Each leg portion104 a, 104 b, 104 c, 104 d may extend in a proximal direction beyondeach barb surface portion 130 a, 130 b, 130 c, 130 d such that each legportion 104 a, 104 b, 104 c, 104 d provides additional engagement witheach rib 60 a, 60 b, 60 c, 60 d in order to transmit torque between theneedle carrier 100 and the hub 14 (e.g., in order to engage anddisengage the Luer lock mechanism).

As seen at FIGS. 28 and 29, a portion of the cannula 12 including theproximal end surface 18 at the proximal end 16 _(P) of the tube-shapedbody 16 is shown arranged near the distal opening 120 formed by thedistal end surface 110 of the body 106 of the head portion 102 of thecannula carrier 100. The central axis A₁₂-A₁₂ (see, e.g., FIG. 2) of thecannula 12 is axially aligned with the central axis A₁₀₀-A₁₀₀ of thecannula carrier 100. The central axes A₁₂-A₁₂ and A₁₀₀-A₁₀₀ of each ofthe cannula 12 and the cannula carrier 100 correspond to the centralaxis A₁₀-A₁₀ (see FIG. 1) of the hypodermic interface assembly 10.

As described above, the outer surface 22 of the tube-shaped body 16 ofthe cannula 12 defines an outer diameter D₁₂ of the cannula 12, and thesecond passage diameter D_(116b) that defines the second passage portion116 b of the passage 116 is approximately equal to but slightly greaterthan the outer diameter D₁₂ of the cannula 12 so that at least a portionof the second passage portion 116 b of the passage 116 defined by thebody 106 of the cannula carrier 100 that is configured to receive thecannula 12 may result in the portion L_(12a1) of the length L₁₂tube-shaped body 16 of the cannula 12 “plugging” or “fluidly sealing”the distal opening 120 of the cannula carrier 100. Accordingly, as seenat FIGS. 29-30, the distal end 16 _(D) of the tube-shaped body 16 of thecannula 12 is inserted (according to the direction of the arrow Y asseen at FIG. 29) through the proximal opening 118 formed by the proximalend surface 108 of the body 106 of the head portion 102 of the cannulacarrier 100 and into the first passage portion 116 a of the passage 116for subsequent disposal within the second passage portion 116 b of thepassage 116.

Thereafter, the distal end 16 _(D) of the tube-shaped body 16 of thecannula 12 is inserted through the distal opening 120 of the cannulacarrier 100 such that a portion L_(12c) of the length L₁₂ of thetube-shaped body 16 of the cannula 12 extends beyond the distal endsurface 110 of the body 106 of the head portion 102 of the cannulacarrier 100. Advancement of the tube-shaped body 16 of the cannula 12through the distal opening 120 of the cannula carrier 100 continuesuntil the proximal barb portion 130 of each leg portion 104 a, 104 b,104 c, 104 d of the plurality of leg portions 104 slides and flexes overthe outer shoulder surface portion 64 of the outer surface 40 of thesubstantially tube-shaped body 34 of the hub 14 and then slides past andthen flexes into for subsequent registration within the circumferentialnotch or groove 65. Once each leg portion 104 a, 104 b, 104 c, 104 d ofthe plurality of leg portions 104 is registered within thecircumferential notch or groove 65, the plurality of barb surfaceportions 130 a, 130 b, 130 c, 130 d of each proximal barb portion 130 ofeach leg portion 104 a, 104 b, 104 c, 104 d of the plurality of legportions 104 are disposed adjacent and matingly-coupled with the surfaceportions 65 a, 65 b, 65 c, 65 d that define the circumferential notch orgroove 65 in order to mechanically couple the cannula carrier 100 to thehub 14.

With reference to FIG. 31, after the cannula carrier 100 is mechanicallycoupled to the hub 14, an amount of adhesive 200 is disposed within thefirst passage portion 116 a of the passage 116 defined by the body 106of the cannula carrier 100 for non-removably-coupling the cannula 12 tothe cannula carrier 100. The adhesive 200 may be deposited or injectedinto the first passage portion 116 a of the passage 116 defined by thebody 106 of the cannula carrier 100 by way of the radial passage 122that extends through the thickness T₁₀₆ body 106 of the head portion ofthe cannula carrier 100. In some instances, the radial passage 122 maybe sized to receive a nozzle of an adhesive applicator A (as seen at,e.g., FIG. 31). Although the cannula carrier 100 is described above tobe adhesively coupled to the cannula 12 with the adhesive 200, thecannula 100 could alternatively and/or additionally mechanically coupledto the cannula 12 by way of, for example, a material deformation processassociated with, for example, swaging, crimping, welding, or the like.Exemplary welding procedures may include electron beam welding,ultrasonic welding, or the like.

As seen at FIG. 32, the adhesive 200 may fill at least a portion of, orall of, the first passage portion 116 a of the passage 116 defined bythe body 106 of the cannula carrier 100. In other configurations, theadhesive 200 may also fill at least a portion or all of the radialpassage 122.

Once the desired amount of adhesive 200 is deposited into the firstpassage portion 116 a, the adhesive 200 may surround and be disposedadjacent: (1) a portion L_(12a1) of the length L₁₂ defined by the outersurface 22 of the tube-shaped body 16 of the cannula 12 that is arrangedwithin the first passage portion 116 a; and (2) at least a portion ofthe first inner surface portion 112 a that defines the first passageportion 116 a for non-removably and adhesively joining the cannula 12 tothe cannula carrier 100. In some configurations, the adhesive 200 is anacrylic adhesive, a cyanoacrylate adhesive, a ultra-violet (UV) curableadhesive, or the like. As seen at FIG. 32, if the adhesive 200 is a UVcurable adhesive, a UV light source (not shown) may be utilized fordirecting ultra violet light UV toward the adhesive 200 for curing theadhesive 200. Once the adhesive 200 has cured, the hypodermic interfaceassembly 10 may be said to be formed as seen at FIGS. 33-35B.

Although the exemplary design of the hypodermic interface assembly 10utilizes both of: (1) the proximal barb portion 130 of each leg portion104 a, 104 b, 104 c, 104 d to mechanically-join the cannula carrier 100to the hub 14; and (2) adhesive 200 for adhesively-joining cannulacarrier 100 to the cannula 12, some implementations of the hypodermicinterface assembly 10 may include one of a mechanical coupling and/or anadhesive coupling. For example, the hypodermic interface assembly 10 maybe only mechanically-joined by friction-fit connecting the cannula 12 tothe cannula carrier 100 (i.e., the adhesive 200 may be excluded fromsuch an exemplary implementation of a hypodermic interface assembly) andthe proximal barb portion 130 of each leg portion 104 a, 104 b, 104 c,104 d.

Referring to FIGS. 34 and 35A-35B, the hypodermic interface assembly 10is shown at an at-rest orientation. At FIGS. 36A-36B, the hypodermicinterface assembly 10 is shown at a biased orientation. Thereafter, asseen at FIGS. 37A-37B, the hypodermic interface assembly 10 is shownarranged in a separated orientation defined by a first portion 10 a ofthe hypodermic interface assembly 10 that is configured to remainattached to an injection gun I and a second portion 10 b of thehypodermic interface assembly 10 that is configured to be removed froman impaled orientation within the flesh of the animalia S.

With reference to FIG. 38A, the third inner surface portion 42 c of theinner surface 42 of the substantially tube-shaped body 34 of the hub 14may define a curved or frustoconical surface that extends into the firstpassage portion 44 a of the passage 44 of the hub 14. As seen at FIG.38B, a peak of the curved or frustoconical surface defined by the thirdinner surface portion 42 c of the inner surface 42 of the substantiallytube-shaped body 34 is defined generally by a dashed line P1 that isorthogonal to the central axis A₁₀-A₁₀ of the hypodermic interfaceassembly 10. Furthermore, as also seen at FIG. 38B, another dashed lineS1 that is orthogonal to the central axis A₁₀-A₁₀ of the hypodermicinterface assembly 10 extends across the region where the proximal barbportion 130 of each leg portion 104 a, 104 b, 104 c, 104 dmechanically-joins the cannula carrier 100 to the circumferential notchor groove 65 formed by a portion of the outer body surface portion 62 ofthe outer surface 40 of the substantially tube-shaped body 34 of the hub14. Yet even further, another dashed line B1 that is orthogonal to thecentral axis A₁₀-A₁₀ of the hypodermic interface assembly 10 extendsacross the distal end surface 38 of the hub 14. Further, yet anotherdashed line A1 that is orthogonal to the central axis A₁₀-A₁₀ of thehypodermic interface assembly 10 extends across a region of the headportion 102 of the cannula carrier 100 near the proximal end surface 108of the body 106 of the head portion 102 of the cannula carrier 100.

The dashed line S1 generally demarcates a region of the hypodermicinterface assembly 10 where the proximal barb portion 130 of each legportion 104 a, 104 b, 104 c, 104 d of the cannula carrier 100 isconfigured to predictably mechanically separate from surface portions 65a, 65 b, 65 c, 65 d that define the circumferential notch or groove 65such that the cannula carrier 100 is permitted to mechanically separatefrom the hub 14. Furthermore, the dashed line B1 generally demarcates aregion of the hypodermic interface assembly 10 where the cannula 12 may(but is not intended to) structurally fail and break into first andsecond portions. As such, a portion of the cannula 12 and the hub 14that defines the first portion 10 a of the hypodermic interface assembly10 is configured to remain attached to the injection gun I. Similarly,the other portion of the cannula 12 that is non-removably-joined to thecannula carrier 100 by the adhesive 200 defines the second portion 10 bof the hypodermic interface assembly 10 is configured to be removed froman impaled orientation within the flesh of the animalia S. Yet evenfurther, the dashed line A1 generally demarcates a “fill line” where theamount of adhesive 200 should not further fill the first passage portion116 a or surround the cannula 12 in a region beyond the “fill line” A1.Furthermore, a distance extending between the “fill line” A1 and thedashed line B1 may be sized to permit the cannula 12 to in the regionbetween the dashed lines A1 and B1 while not allowing the any surfaceportion of the needle carrier 100 to engage or come into contact withthe distal end surface 38 of the hub 14.

Although the structural integrity of the cannula 12 is shown topotentially (but is not intended to) fail in association with theexemplary implementation of the hypodermic interface assembly 10 as seenat FIGS. 37A-37B and 38A-38B, resulting in the cannula 12 breaking intofirst and second portions as seen at FIGS. 37A and 37B, with referenceto FIGS. 38C and 39A-39C, the proximal end 16 _(P) of the tube-shapedbody 16 of the cannula 12 may be arranged within the hub 14 closer tothe distal end surface 38 of the hub 14. Furthermore, as seen at FIG.38C, the proximal end 16 _(P) of the tube-shaped body 16 of the cannula12 may be arranged proximal of a dashed line P2 that extends across aproximal-most end of the crimping pockets 68′ defined by the outer headsurface portion 68 of the outer surface 40 of the substantiallytube-shaped body 34 of the hub 14. Although the proximal end 16 _(P) ofthe tube-shaped body 16 of the cannula 12 is shown arranged proximal ofthe dashed line P2, the proximal end 16 _(P) of the tube-shaped body 16of the cannula 12 may be arranged anywhere between, for example thedashed line B1 and the dashed line P2.

With reference to FIG. 38D, another exemplary configuration of thehypodermic interface assembly 10 is shown that is substantially similarto FIG. 38C with the exception that the body 106 of the head portion 102of the cannula carrier 100 includes an adhesive blocking wall 132including a cannula passage 134. The adhesive blocking wall 132 containsthe adhesive 200 within at least a portion of the first passage portion116 a and prevents axial migration of the adhesive 200 in a directionfurther toward the dashed line B1 such that the adhesive 200 does notsurround a portion of the cannula extending beyond the dashed line A1.

With reference to FIG. 38E, another exemplary configuration of thehypodermic interface assembly 10 is shown that is substantially similarto FIG. 38C with the exception that second passage portion 116 b isarranged at an angle θ_(116b) that is not orthogonal to the central axisA₁₀-A₁₀. In an example, the angle θ_(116b) may be approximately equal toabout 45° in order to assist in controlled depositing of the adhesive200 into the first passage portion 116 a such that the adhesive 200substantially surrounds the cannula 12 up to and not beyond the fillline A1.

With reference to FIG. 38F, another exemplary configuration of thehypodermic interface assembly 10 is shown that is substantially similarto FIG. 38E with the exception that the body 106 of the head portion 102of the cannula carrier 100 includes the adhesive blocking wall 132including a cannula passage 134. The adhesive blocking wall 132 containsthe adhesive 200 within at least a portion of the first passage portion116 a and prevents axial migration of the adhesive 200 in a directionfurther toward the dashed line B1 such that the adhesive 200 does notsurround a portion of the cannula extending beyond the dashed line A1.Such an arrangement seen at FIGS. 38C and 39A results in the proximalend 16 _(P) of the tube-shaped body 16 of the cannula 12 being “ripped”out of, or, alternatively, being “migrated away from” (as seen at FIGS.39B and 39C) the first portion 10 a of the hypodermic interface assembly10 while the entire tube-shaped body 16 of the cannula 12 remains joinedto the second portion 10 b of the hypodermic interface assembly 10.Accordingly, as seen at FIG. 39C, all of the cannula 12 remainsstructurally intact and does not break into first and second portions asseen at FIGS. 37A and 37B (and, as a result, does not define a ‘breakline’).

Referring now to FIGS. 40 and 41A-41G, a methodology for utilizing anyconfiguration of the exemplary hypodermic interface assemblies 10 isshown. Although FIGS. 40 and 41A-41G show a methodology for utilizingthe hypodermic interface assembly 10 described at FIGS. 33-35B, any ofthe other hypodermic interface assemblies described in the presentdisclosure may also be utilized in a substantially similar manner asseen at FIGS. 40 and 41A-41G.

As described above, the design of the hypodermic interface assembly 10promotes controlled separation (see, e.g., FIGS. 37A-37B, 39A-39C and41E) of the cannula 12, the cannula carrier 100, and the adhesive 200(that collectively define the second portion 10 b of the hypodermicinterface assembly 10) relative to the hub 14 (that defines the firstportion 10 a of the hypodermic interface assembly 10).

In some instances, predictable and controlled separation of the secondportion 10 b of the hypodermic interface assembly 10 from the firstportion 10 a of the hypodermic interface assembly 10 may occur after thecannula 12 pierces the subject S (see, e.g., FIGS. 41A-41B). The subjectS may be, for example, animalia, such as a human or non-human (i.e., ananimal such as, for example, pig or swine). In other examples, thesubject S may be an inanimate object. The predicable and controlledseparation of the second portion 10 b of the hypodermic interfaceassembly 10 from the first portion 10 a of the hypodermic interfaceassembly 10 mitigates separation of the cannula 12 from the entirety ofthe hub 14, which may otherwise undesirably result in the cannula 12being broken-off and subsequently lost (or make difficult easilylocating the broken-off cannula) within the flesh of the animalia.

Referring to FIG. 40, the hypodermic interface assembly 10 is shownconnected to an injecting device I, such as, for example, an injectiongun. The hypodermic interface assembly 10 may be connected to a barrelportion I_(B) of the injection gun I by arranging, for example, thefirst radially-outward projection or ear 56 and the secondradially-outward projection or ear 58 extending from the of thebarrel-engaging portion 50 that extends from the outer surface 40 of thesubstantially tube-shaped body 34 of the hub 14 in correspondingrecesses (not shown) formed by the barrel portion I_(B) of the injectiongun I and then, for example, quarter-turn locking the hypodermicinterface assembly 10 for removably-securing the first radially-outwardprojection or ear 56 and the second radially-outward projection or ear58 extending from the of the barrel-engaging portion 50 to the barrelportion I_(B) of the injection gun I.

The injection gun I may include a fluid container C that contains afluid F (see also, e.g., FIG. 41C). The fluid F may be metered from: (1)the container C; (2) through the injection gun I; (3) into thehypodermic interface assembly 10; and (4) out of the hypodermicinterface assembly 10 and into the flesh of the subject S. The injectiongun I may be actuated when a user U presses, for example, an actuator IAsuch as, for example, a trigger in order to cause movement of the fluidF as described above. The injection gun I may be powered in anydesirable manner such as, for example: battery powered; air powered;manually powered; or a combination thereof.

Referring to FIG. 41A, the user may grasp the injection gun I andposition the sharp piercing tip 32 formed by the distal end surface 20of the tube-shaped body 16 of the cannula 12 near the outer surfaceS_(S) of the subject S, which may define the skin or hide of the subjectS. Referring to FIGS. 41A-41B, the user U may impart an axial forceaccording to the direction of the arrow X_(A) to the injection gun Ialong the central axis A₁₀-A₁₀ extending through the hypodermicinterface assembly 10 such that the sharp piercing tip 32 formed by thedistal end surface 20 of the tube-shaped body 16 of the cannula 12axially pierces the outer surface S_(S) of the subject S.

Referring to FIGS. 38A and 41C, after the outer surface S_(S) of thesubject S has been axially pierced by the cannula 12, the user U mayoptionally actuate the actuator IA in order to cause movement of thefluid F from: (1) the container C; (2) through the injection gun I; (3)into the hypodermic interface assembly 10; and (4) out of the hypodermicinterface assembly 10 and into the flesh of the subject S. In anexample, the fluid F may firstly enter the hypodermic interface assembly10 from the injection gun I at the passage 44 formed by thesubstantially tube-shaped body 34 of the hub 14 by way of the proximalopening 46 formed by the proximal end surface 36 of the substantiallytube-shaped body 34 of the hub 14. Then, the fluid F may secondly enterthe passage 26 extending through the tube-shaped body 16 of the cannula12 by way of the proximal opening 28 formed by the proximal end surface18 of the body 16 of the cannula 12. Then, thirdly, the fluid F may exitthe passage 44 formed by the substantially tube-shaped body 34 of thehub 14 by way of the distal opening 48 formed by the distal end surface38 of the substantially tube-shaped body 34 of the hub 14. Thereafter,fourthly, the fluid F may exit the passage 26 extending through thetube-shaped body 16 of the cannula 12 by way of the distal opening 30formed by the distal end surface 20 of the body 16 of the cannula 12.

The fluid F may be any desirable composition that is intended to bedelivered to the animalia S. In some instances, the fluid F may be amedicament, a pharmaceutical, a vaccine, an anesthetic, or the like.Accordingly, the fluid F may not include any type of fluid that is notintended to be injected into animalia S. Although the hypodermicinterface assembly 10 also may be utilized for injecting fluid F intoanimalia S, the hypodermic interface assembly 10 may be utilized forremoving fluid F (e.g., blood) from animalia S. Therefore, it will beappreciated that the hypodermic interface assembly 10 may deliver orreceive fluid F.

Referring to FIGS. 36A-36B, 39B, and 41D, after the outer surface S_(S)of the subject S has been axially pierced by the cannula 12, the subjectS may experience discomfort as a result of pain arising from the outersurface S_(S) being pierced by the sharp piercing tip 32 formed by thedistal end surface 20 of the tube-shaped body 16 of the cannula 12.Accordingly, if the user U is sufficiently grasping the injection gun I,any movement of the subject S may result in the cannula 12 beingsubjected to one or more radial forces X_(R) relative the central axisA₁₀-A₁₀ extending through the hypodermic interface assembly 10 that maycause the cannula 12 to bend or warp, such that the central axis A₁₂-A₁₂extending through the axial center of the tube-shaped body 16 of thecannula 12 is not coincident with the central axis A₁₀-A₁₀ extendingthrough the hypodermic interface assembly 10 that may be coaxiallyaligned with the other components of the hypodermic interface assembly10 such as, for example, the hub 14 and the cannula carrier 100.

Because the cannula carrier 100 may be formed from a flexible orsubstantially non-rigid material (e.g., plastic), any stresses impartedto the cannula 12 arising from the one or more radial forces X_(R) maybe transmitted from the cannula 12 to the cannula carrier 100; and anysuch stresses transmitted from the cannula 12 to the cannula carrier 100may be directed to and concentrated at a predetermined portion or regionof the hypodermic interface assembly 10. The predetermined portion orregion of the hypodermic interface assembly 10 that receives theconcentrated stresses is generally defined by a portion or region of thehypodermic interface assembly 10 where the separation line (see, e.g.,the dashed line S1 of FIGS. 38B, 38C, which may be referred to as aseparation line) traverses the cannula carrier 100 and the hub 14 of thehypodermic interface assembly 10. As described above, the separationline S1 generally demarcates the regions with the cannula carrier 100being capable of mechanically separating from the hub 14. Also,depending on the inset orientation of the cannula 12 relative the hub14, the cannula 12 may remain intact, unbroken (as seen at, e.g., FIG.39C), or, in some configurations, the cannula 12 may (but is notintended to) structurally fail and break (as seen at, e.g., FIG. 37A andaccording to the break line B1 of FIG. 38B) as a result of a stressconcentration arising from the one or more radial forces X_(R) that alsomay be transmitted to the cannula 12 and concentrated at, substantiallyat, about, along, or on the region of the hypodermic interface assembly10 defined by the break line B1. And in either implementation, thedistal portion of the cannula 12 remains non-removably connected to thecannula carrier 100 by way of, for example, the adhesive 200.

As seen at FIG. 38A, the cannula carrier 100 may be defined by a lengthL₁₀₀ that is further defined by sub-lengths L_(100a) and L_(100b). Thesub-length L_(100b) may be further defined by sub-length portionsL_(100b1) and L_(100b2).

The sub-length L_(100a) may be defined by a length of the head portion102 of the cannula carrier 100. The sub-length L_(100b) may be definedby a length of each leg portion 104 a, 104 b, 104 c, 104 d of thecannula carrier 100. The sub-length portion L_(100b1) may be defined bya length of each leg portion 104 a, 104 b, 104 c, 104 d not includingthe proximal barb portion 130 of each leg portion 104 a, 104 b, 104 c,104 d. The sub-length portion L_(100b2) may be defined by a length ofeach proximal barb portion 130 of each leg portion 104 a, 104 b, 104 c,104 d.

Each length portion L_(100a) and L_(100b) and each sub-length portionsL_(100b1) and L_(100b2) may be selectively distanced or configured inorder to optimize mechanical separation of the cannula carrier 100 fromthe hub 14 at the separation line S1. For example, sufficient leg length(e.g., as defined by the sub-length portion L_(100b2)) may assist inallowing each leg portion 104 a, 104 b, 104 c, 104 d of the cannulacarrier 100 to separate from the hub 14 at the separation line S1without the body 106 of cannula carrier 100 interfering with the distalend surface 38 of the hub 14 when the one or more radial forces X_(R)is/are applied to the cannula 12. Furthermore, a combination of theselective distancing or configuration of the length portions L_(100a)and L_(100b) and each sub-length portions L_(100b1) and L_(100b2) incombination with providing a UV adhesive for the adhesive portion 200may strengthen the overall hypodermic interface assembly 10.

As seen at FIG. 41D, as a result of stresses transmitted from thecannula 12 to the hub 14 being directed to and concentrated at apredetermined portion or region of the cannula carrier 100 and the hub14, the cannula carrier 100 may be permitted to also bend or deviatewith the cannula 12 away from the central axis A₁₀-A₁₀ extending throughthe hypodermic interface assembly 10 (see, e.g., the axes A₁₂-A₁₂,A₁₀₀-A₁₀₀ of the cannula 12 and the cannula carrier 100). Accordingly,the axes A₁₂-A₁₂, A₁₀₀-A₁₀₀ of the cannula 12 and the cannula carrier100 generally deviate away from the axis A₁₄-A₁₄ of the hub 14, whichmay remain coincident with the central axis A₁₀-A₁₀ extending throughthe hypodermic interface assembly 10.

Referring to FIGS. 37A-37B and 41E, the stresses transmitted from thecannula 12 to the interface assembly (10) that were directed to andconcentrated at the predetermined portion or region (e.g., at separationline S1) may continue to bend the cannula carrier 100 relative the hub14 until the cannula carrier 100 controllably mechanically separatesfrom the hub 14 by flexibly-disconnecting the proximal barb portion 130of each leg portion 104 a, 104 b, 104 c, 104 d of the cannula carrier100 from surface portions 65 a, 65 b, 65 c, 65 d that define thecircumferential notch or groove 65 such that the cannula carrier 100 ispermitted to mechanically separate from the hub 14. As a result, thesecond portion 10 b of the hypodermic interface assembly 10 includingthe cannula carrier 100, the cannula 12, and the adhesive 200predictably and controllably separates from the first portion 10 a ofthe hypodermic interface assembly 10 defined by the hub 14 (at, orsubstantially at, about, along, or on break line B1). After separation,each leg portion 104 a, 104 b, 104 c, 104 d of the cannula carrier 100may deform, expand, or splay outwardly, which may increase visibility toa user to assist in locating where the cannula 12 is impaled within theflesh of the animalia S.

As seen at FIG. 41E, because the cannula carrier 100 is non-separablyjoined to the cannula 12 with the adhesive 200, the user U, may easilyidentify a location of the animalia S where the cannula 12 is impaledwithin the flesh of the animalia S. The location of the animalia S wherethe cannula 12 is impaled within the flesh of the animalia S is easilyidentifiable as a result of, for example, the cannula carrier 100 of thesecond portion 10 b of the hypodermic interface assembly 10 resting uponthe skin S_(S) or hide of the animalia S (while the cannula 12 is notvisible to the user U since the cannula 12 is contained within andobscured by the flesh of the animalia S.

Thereafter, as seen at FIG. 41F, the user U may pinch or grasp thesecond portion 10 b of the hypodermic interface assembly 10 and apply apulling force to the second portion 10 b of the hypodermic interfaceassembly 10 (that also includes the impaled cannula 12). As seen at FIG.41Q as a result of the pulling force to the second portion 10 b of thehypodermic interface assembly 10 by the user U, the cannula 12 isremoved from the flesh of the animalia S such that the cannula 12 is notlost or would therefore otherwise undesirably remain within the flesh ofthe animalia S.

A number of implementations have been described. Nevertheless, it willbe understood that various modifications may be made without departingfrom the spirit and scope of the disclosure. Accordingly, otherimplementations are within the scope of the following claims. Forexample, the actions recited in the claims can be performed in adifferent order and still achieve desirable results.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particularexemplary configurations only and is not intended to be limiting. Asused herein, the singular articles “a,” “an,” and “the” may be intendedto include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearlyindicates otherwise. The terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “including,”and “having,” are inclusive and therefore specify the presence offeatures, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do notpreclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, steps,operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. The methodsteps, processes, and operations described herein are not to beconstrued as necessarily requiring their performance in the particularorder discussed or illustrated, unless specifically identified as anorder of performance. Additional or alternative steps may be employed.

When an element or layer is referred to as being “on,” “engaged to,”“connected to,” “attached to,” or “coupled to” another element or layer,it may be directly on, engaged, connected, attached, or coupled to theother element or layer, or intervening elements or layers may bepresent. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directlyon,” “directly engaged to,” “directly connected to,” “directly attachedto,” or “directly coupled to” another element or layer, there may be nointervening elements or layers present. Other words used to describe therelationship between elements should be interpreted in a like fashion(e.g., “between” versus “directly between,” “adjacent” versus “directlyadjacent,” etc.). As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and allcombinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

The terms first, second, third, etc. may be used herein to describevarious elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections. Theseelements, components, regions, layers and/or sections should not belimited by these terms. These terms may be only used to distinguish oneelement, component, region, layer or section from another region, layeror section. Terms such as “first,” “second,” and other numerical termsdo not imply a sequence or order unless clearly indicated by thecontext. Thus, a first element, component, region, layer or sectiondiscussed below could be termed a second element, component, region,layer or section without departing from the teachings of the exampleconfigurations.

What is claimed is:
 1. A hypodermic interface assembly comprising: ahub; a cannula; and a cannula carrier, wherein the cannula carrier isnon-removably connected to the cannula, and wherein the cannula carrieris controllably separable from the hub.
 2. The hypodermic interfaceassembly of claim 1, further comprising an adhesive connecting thecannula to the cannula carrier.
 3. The hypodermic interface assembly ofclaim 2, wherein the cannula carrier includes an adhesive-depositingpassage, and wherein the adhesive is deposited into theadhesive-depositing passage of the cannula carrier.
 4. The hypodermicinterface assembly of claim 1, wherein the cannula carrier includes atleast one leg portion.
 5. The hypodermic interface assembly of claim 4,wherein at least one leg portion of the cannula carrier includes a barbportion, and wherein the hub includes a groove that is sized to receivethe barb portion of the at least one leg portion.
 6. The hypodermicinterface assembly of claim 1, wherein the cannula is disposed within: ahub passage extending through the hub; and a cannula carrier passageextending through the cannula carrier.
 7. The hypodermic interfaceassembly of claim 6, wherein an outer surface of the cannula is securedto an inner surface that defines the hub passage.
 8. The hypodermicinterface assembly of claim 6, wherein a first portion of an outersurface of the cannula is arranged in a spaced-apart relationship withrespect to a first inner surface portion that defines a first cannulacarrier passage portion of the cannula carrier passage of the cannulacarrier, wherein a second portion of the outer surface of the cannula isdisposed adjacent a second inner surface portion that defines a secondcannula carrier passage portion of the cannula carrier passage of thecannula carrier for fluidly-sealing the second cannula carrier passageportion of the cannula carrier passage of the cannula carrier.
 9. Thehypodermic interface assembly of claim 1, wherein the cannula carrierincludes a head portion defined by a body and at least one leg portion.10. A hypodermic interface assembly comprising: a first hypodermicinterface assembly portion that is defined by: a hub; and a secondhypodermic interface assembly portion that is separably-connected to thefirst hypodermic interface assembly portion, wherein the secondhypodermic interface assembly portion is defined by: a cannula; and acannula carrier non-removably-connected to the cannula, wherein thecannula carrier is controllably separable from the hub.
 11. Thehypodermic interface assembly of claim 10, further comprising anadhesive connecting the cannula to the cannula carrier.
 12. Thehypodermic interface assembly of claim 11, wherein the cannula carrierincludes an adhesive-depositing passage, and wherein the adhesive isdeposited into the adhesive-depositing passage of the cannula carrier.13. The hypodermic interface assembly of claim 10, wherein the cannulacarrier includes at least one leg portion.
 14. The hypodermic interfaceassembly of claim 13, wherein at least one leg portion of the cannulacarrier includes a barb portion, and wherein the hub includes a groovethat is sized to receive the barb portion of the at least one legportion.
 15. The hypodermic interface assembly of claim 10, wherein thecannula is disposed within: a hub passage extending through the hub; anda cannula carrier passage extending through the cannula carrier.
 16. Thehypodermic interface assembly of claim 15, wherein an outer surface ofthe cannula is secured to an inner surface that defines the hub passage.17. The hypodermic interface assembly of claim 15, wherein a firstportion of an outer surface of the cannula is arranged in a spaced-apartrelationship with respect to a first inner surface portion that definesa first cannula carrier passage portion of the cannula carrier passageof the cannula carrier, wherein a second portion of the outer surface ofthe cannula is disposed adjacent a second inner surface portion thatdefines a second cannula carrier passage portion of the cannula carrierpassage of the cannula carrier for fluidly-sealing the second cannulacarrier passage portion of the cannula carrier passage of the cannulacarrier.
 18. The hypodermic interface assembly of claim 10, wherein thecannula carrier includes a head portion defined by a body and at leastone leg portion.
 19. A method comprising: providing a cannula carrier, acannula, and a hub; non-separably joining the cannula carrier to thecannula; and joining the cannula carrier to the hub, wherein the cannulacarrier is controllably separable from the hub.
 20. The method of claim19 further comprising: separably joining the hub to an injection gun;and inserting the cannula into the flesh of a subject.
 21. The method ofclaim 20 further comprising: subjecting one or both of the cannula andthe cannula carrier to one or more radial forces relative to a centralaxis extending through the cannula and the cannula carrier formechanically-separating the cannula carrier from the hub whereby: thehub remains separably joined to the injection gun); and the cannula isremovably disposed within the flesh of the subject and the cannulacarrier is disposed adjacent an outer surface of the flesh of thesubject.
 22. The method of claim 21 further comprising: locating thecannula carrier that is disposed adjacent the outer surface of the fleshof the subject; grasping the cannula carrier; and applying a force tothe cannula carrier to remove the cannula from the flesh of the subject.23. The method of claim 21, wherein the cannula carrier includes a highvisibility dye or pigment.
 24. The method of claim 21, wherein thesubjecting step results in splaying one or more leg portions of thecannula carrier.
 25. The method of claim 21 further comprising:separating the hub from the injection gun.